Growth responses of three ornamental plants to Cd and Cd–Pb stress and their metal accumulation characteristics

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2008-02, Vol.151 (1), p.261-267
• Main Authors: Liu, Jia-nv, Zhou, Qi-xing, Sun, Ting, Ma, Lena Q., Wang, Song
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Althaea - growth & development; Althaea - metabolism; Althaea rosea; Applied sciences; Biodegradation, Environmental; Cadmium - metabolism; Calendula - growth & development; Calendula - metabolism; Calendula officinalis; Cd–Pb interaction; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Exact sciences and technology; Hydroponics; Hyperaccumulator; Impatiens - growth & development; Impatiens - metabolism; Lead - metabolism; Ornamental plant; Phytoremediation; Pollution; Soil; Soil and sediments pollution
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.08.016

Up to now, there was no document on ornamental plants that had been applied to phytoremediation, which can remedy contaminated environment and beautify it at the same time. Thus, the growth responses and possible phytoremediation ability of three ornamental plants selected from the previous preliminary experiments were further examined under single Cd or combined Cd–Pb stress. The results showed that these tested plants had higher tolerance to Cd and Pb contamination and could effectively accumulate the metals, especially for Calendula officinalis and Althaea rosea. For C. officinalis, it grew normally in soils containing 100 mg kg −1 Cd without suffering phytotoxicity, and the Cd concentration in the roots was up to 1084 mg kg −1 while the Cd concentration in the shoots was 284 mg kg −1. For A. rosea, the Cd accumulation in the shoots was higher than that in the roots when the Cd concentration in soils was